MH-60R Sea Hawk and F/A-18F Super Hornet Crash in South China Sea During USS Nimitz Operations; All Crew Rescued
Two U.S. Navy aircraft — an MH-60R Sea Hawk and an F/A-18F Super Hornet — crashed during routine operations from the USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on Oct. 26, 2025; all five crew members were rescued and are reported stable.
Key takeaways
- Aircraft involved: MH-60R Sea Hawk (HSM-73) and F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22).
- Timing: Sea Hawk went down at about 2:45 p.m. local time; Super Hornet crashed at about 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2025.
- Crew and rescue: Three aboard the Sea Hawk and two aboard the Super Hornet — all five were rescued and reported stable.
- Investigations: U.S. Pacific Fleet and Navy mishap investigators are conducting formal inquiries; no hostile action is indicated.
What happened
The U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed that an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to HSM-73, crashed into the South China Sea at roughly 2:45 p.m. local time while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Search-and-rescue teams from the carrier group recovered all three crew members, who were taken aboard the Nimitz and were reported in stable condition — reporting first noted by The Aviationist and regional outlets.
About 30 minutes later, at about 3:15 p.m. local time, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-22 crashed after both crew members ejected into the sea. Both aviators were rescued by carrier group assets and are reported stable. Reporting on the Super Hornet rescue referenced the ABC30 regional coverage and technical timeline notes from The Aviationist.
Operational context and ship status
The USS Nimitz is deployed leading Carrier Strike Group 11; the deployment began in March 2025 and has been noted as what is expected to be the carrier’s final deployment. The carrier has conducted operations in contested areas including the South China Sea amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and freedom-of-navigation activities.
The near-simultaneous loss of two aircraft during routine flight operations is an alarming event for naval aviation and arrives as regional attention is high after recent diplomatic engagements in Southeast Asia. Initial public notices were posted to U.S. Pacific Fleet social channels; limited official statements followed, in part because a U.S. government shutdown reduced routine federal communications.
Carrier strike group video and reporting circulated online; an on-deck and in-flight clip was shared on video from within the carrier group and was cited in subsequent media reports.
Squadron and crew details
The MH-60R belonged to HSM-73 (Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73), based at Naval Air Station North Island near San Diego. The F/A-18F was assigned to VFA-22 (“Fighting Redcocks”), based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California’s Central Valley. Families and support networks for the crew are being contacted through official Navy channels, and the carrier’s medical team treated the rescued personnel aboard the Nimitz.
Safety, investigations and historical context
Officials have not released causes for either event. The Navy will convene formal mishap investigations to analyze flight data, maintenance logs, pilot and aircrew accounts, and environmental factors. Defense-focused outlets noted that two major aircraft losses in quick succession raise broader questions about fleet operations, maintenance practices, and strain on personnel and equipment during extended deployments (The Aviationist).
There were no reports of damage to the carrier itself, and the Navy has not indicated hostile activity in either crash. Formal mishap boards will determine causal factors and recommend any safety fixes or procedural changes.
Implications for California
Both squadrons are California-based; investigations or any fleet-wide safety measures could affect flight schedules, training operations, and sortie rates at Naval Air Station North Island and NAS Lemoore. Short-term operational pauses or added maintenance checks could slow training pipelines and affect local contractors tied to aircraft upkeep.
Politically, California lawmakers may seek briefings on readiness and safety. For local communities, the incidents can increase stress among military families and activate support services such as base chaplains and family readiness groups. Economic ripple effects may touch shipyard and logistics firms supporting the Nimitz and its air wing (ABC30, ABC13).
Official notices and media reporting
U.S. Pacific Fleet posted initial notices via social media announcing the incidents and the successful rescues. Regional reporting from ABC13 (Houston) and ABC30 confirmed the rescues and noted the California bases of the squadrons. Technical analysis and timeline reporting were provided by The Aviationist.
“All five crew members were rescued and reported to be in stable condition,” U.S. Pacific Fleet communications noted in initial social posts.
Ongoing questions and next steps
Investigators will seek to determine what caused the MH-60R Sea Hawk and F/A-18F Super Hornet to go down during routine flight operations from the USS Nimitz. Formal Navy mishap boards will review maintenance records, training status, environmental conditions, and equipment performance. Congressional and DoD oversight bodies may press for findings if systemic issues are identified.
Media, local communities, and families will watch for updates from U.S. Pacific Fleet and carrier leadership as the inquiries proceed. For immediate media and public reference, original reporting and source material are linked below.
Sources
Note: All factual details, squadron names, timings, crew counts, ship status, and URLs are preserved from initial reporting and official notices.
